Friday was officially the last day that players could enter the spring transfer portal window, except for those playing in the National Championship on Monday (Indiana and Miami), who will have a short extension following the Jan. 19 contest.

While players who entered the portal can still visit and sign with teams after this deadline, teams will begin to fill out rosters as spring ball gets closer.

Tennessee has experienced the highs and lows of the transfer portal this month and are sure to field a product in the 2026 season that will look very different from their 2025 campaign.

Here's a look at the winners and losers of the Volunteers' 2026 spring portal.

The clear bright spot of the Volunteers 2026 portal has been the defense that new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has put together.

Looking to improve on one of the worst Tennessee defensive seasons in recent memory, Knowles' new-look defense is sure to turn heads in 2026.

Poaching several former Penn State defenders from his 2025 defense, Knowles has strengthened Tennessee's defense at every position group, additionally adding depth at certain positions to ensure future success.

Acquiring key players from Michigan, Auburn and Tulane to go with his former Nittany Lions, Knowles has taken the hardest step in rebuilding a struggling defense and has shown no signs of slowing down.

Guys like edges Jordan Norman and Chaz Coleman, defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam. safeties T.J. Metcalf, Dejuan Lane and Qua Moss, linebacker Amare Campbell and cornerback Kayin Lee will re-stock the roster.

Expect Knowles and the Vols to make more portal moves on this side of the ball to return the 92nd nationally ranked defense of 2025 to its SEC elite status of previous seasons. 

Tennessee has made zero progress on the quarterback front thus far this offseason. After failing to land Sam Leavitt of Arizona State, who sparked great optimism in Volunteers fans, the team now finds themselves at a standstill.

Gunslinger Joey Aguilar's eligibility status is looking more and more doubtful as his hearing looms, leaving Tennessee currently with options of redshirt freshman George MacIntyre or true freshman Faizon Brandon.

With several older and more experienced quarterback options still available in the portal, hope is not all lost. However, due to an absence of urgency and an inability to seal the deal, the Volunteers have lost out on all elite quarterbacks from the upcoming season's portal.

Fear not, there are always graduate transfers who aren't thrilled with their situation after spring practice. They can transfer and play immediately without needing the portal.

After parting ways with former placekicker Max Gilbert, who struggled to connect on several crucial kicks last season, the Vols scored a solid replacement, acquiring Louisville's Cooper Ranvier. 

The incoming redshirt sophomore made 21 of his 25 field goal attempts last year and played a big part in Louisville's (9-4) success last season.

Several clips showcasing Ranvier's range have circulated on the Vols online fanbase since the portal pickup was made official, sparking hope in fans that Tennessee has finally found their guy for clutch moments. 

After losing both Peyton Lewis (portal) and Star Thomas (eligibility) the Vols locked down their only returning running back, DeSean Bishop.

Bishop, who had a stellar season in 2025, struck a new deal to return to Knoxville for a third season, now as the clear-cut starter. As an integral part of the offense's success this past season, Bishop's presence and leadership will be crucial to Tennessee in 2026.

As the returning offensive anchor of a team who will likely sport a new quarterback, the third year running back will be relied upon to carry the Volunteers through a potentially difficult transitional period. 

The Vols lost six of their offensive linemen to the transfer portal this month. In return, they have so far acquired just one replacement. 

An obvious hole in their upcoming season and an area that is sure to prove problematic for an unresolved quarterback situation, the Vols have fallen behind in strengthening a crucial part of their offense.

Ory Williams is the only signee. The Vols were still in the mix for West Virginia's Donovan Haslam.

Adding salt to the wound, several former Vols linemen including veteran tackle Lance Heard, have committed to rival SEC schools like Kentucky and LSU.

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Due to the lack of progress and recovery through the portal after these key departures, the Vols offseason has so far brought on more significant negatives than positives.